The world of social media has changed the way everyone communicates, and it has most definitely had an effect on the combat sports world. The kickboxing world especially has benefited from it, as fighters and promoters in the sport exist all over the world, with different homes, languages, beliefs and everything in between. Simon Rutz is very public with information to his Facebook friends about future events featuring both his promotion, It's Showtime, and the fighters under his management.

Today on his Facebook, Rutz confirmed a lot of the rumors swirling around about K-1 holding a World Grand Prix this year. His Facebook update states that he spoke on the phone with K-1 and can confirm that there are plans for a Final 16 as well as a Heavyweight World Grand Prix finals within this year. As he is very open, a few asked him about fighter payment and he replied that it was discussed and understood that It's Showtime fighters will not fight for K-1 until there is an assurance to be paid the money that they are owed.

The other big news is the big rumored It's Showtime Heavyweight tournament that Rutz and Co. have been whispering about was confirmed in this thread. Rutz confirmed that they were indeed looking to plan a Heavyweight tournament for the Fall or Winter of this year, but that if K-1 will indeed put on a World Grand Prix, It's Showtime will be holding their own Heavyweight Tournament in January 28 of 2012. Rutz also confirmed that Badr Hari's next fight should be announced shortly, which could possibly also coincide with the rumors I've been hearing that K-1's next big show could be announced any day now (initially the rumor was "mid-August" or "mid-September" and then "this week." It's Friday now...).

Regardless of timelines or how much of 2011 was a lost cause of a year, it looks like Heavyweight Kickboxing will be back on the up-and-up.